Q&A – How Can I Defeat My Junk Food Cravings?

Daily Inspiration

Q: You’ve written before about a “sensory tsunami” that takes control the moment one makes the decision to purchase junk food at the grocery store and bring it home. I have intense junk food cravings, but a lot of them are throughout the day and don’t necessarily begin as I settle in for the night. My company brings donuts into the office, and this past Halloween, common areas were stocked with candy. I’d grab one or two pieces and rationalize that I want to snag my favorites before anyone else did. And when I come home, my children want to bake – making brownies together has always been a fun activity for us. I feel bombarded and surrounded by temptation. How does one defeat cravings? I’d love to have the power to walk by that candy bowl or donut box without even thinking about it!

-Amy G.

A: Hi Amy,

There are so many directions I could go with your email that it took me a few minutes to decide what to specifically address. I definitely see issues here regarding a theory that I have written about before called The Family Feud as well as a concept I call Discomfort. But I think I’m going to address the question that you asked toward the end: “How does one defeat cravings?” I just might have the perfect answer for you, Amy, and it comes in the form of a game I call The Health Jumble. The first two links above will provide you with some insight regarding what is happening inside your head when these cravings are at hand. The Health Jumble link will provide you with a strategy to confront and defeat these cravings.

In short, the key to fighting cravings is a two-pronged approach. First, you are dealing with the strong and relentless influence of habit. Habit is the enemy of change, so it’s these unhealthy habits that must be addressed and broken. The first step to breaking old habits is to involve a distraction strategy when the cravings begin to assert themselves. The Health Jumble is one distraction strategy I developed to help you do three things: face and confront your craving; formulate a structured plan to engage that craving in a safe, healthy and positive way; and manipulate and change that craving when you complete the exercise. Read the links above, Amy, and I believe you will find the insight you need to have the “power to walk by” those powerful cravings you currently surrender to.